Intervention by H.E. Ambassador OSUGA Takeshi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Ambassadorial-level meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on the contribution of peacekeeping to peacebuilding and sustaining peace

2021/6/15
(As delivered)
Mr. Chair,
 
Thank you, Ambassador Edrees, for convening this meeting. I thank all the briefers for their valuable inputs.
 
I would like to make three points with some questions for the briefers to respond in case there is time, if not, in future meetings.
 
First, on the importance of visualizing stronger nexus in the work of various actors in the field, related to peace, humanitarian and development. This has been said again and again. We need more concrete success stories on the ground. Not just abstract statement on the need for nexus. Concrete examples are needed to provide more evidence and incentivize the donor community to contribute more.
 
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, Japan made contribution to a project implemented by UNDP in South Kivu, Kasai and Kasai Central Provinces, to support early recovery from floods that occurred in April 2020. The aim is to enhance the resilience and stability in crisis-affected communities. The project started in March this year and will continue one year. And then, a volcano erupted on 22 may this year in North Kivu and emergency assistance flowed in including from Japan. I wonder if there is any collaboration with MONUSCO in these operations. Are there synergies created in relevant activities?
 
My second point is the importance of institution building, not limited to security sector on which peacekeepers have expertise, but for basic service delivery for the livelihoods to help people see and feel the peace dividends. The latter is mainly the work of UN country team’s member agencies. Credible institutions are the prerequisite to national ownership and sustained peace.
 
In South Sudan, for example, Japan supports a project by IOM to build border management capacities at the northern borders to mitigate transnational organized crimes and public health risks, such as COVID-19. I am keen to know how the know-how and assets of peacekeepers are being shared to make this project more effective.
 
Thirdly, the role of the PBC. Integrated approach for transition does not require overlap of mandates. The mandates of peacekeepers, humanitarian and development agencies need not, and should not interfere with each other. Hence, the need for stronger partnership. But, partnership is easily said than done. It should happen not only in New York or in Washington DC or on Zoom, but on the ground. It should not depend on personal relations among key stakeholders. Japan believes the Peacebuilding Commission can contribute in this respect with its convening power and advisory role to the Security Council. In this view, today's meeting is really useful.
 
Finally, I hope that similar meetings are being held in the field on a daily basis, and that the boots-on-the-ground discussions there will be shared with us in New York.
 
Thank you.